More detail on this person: On Tuesday, 14 May 2019, Glen D. Gibson, 85 years old, passed away in Paso Robles, California. He was born on Tuesday, 16 May 1933 in Rattan, Oklahoma and was the son of Emerson Milton Gibson and Loyce E. Brock Gibson. In the early 1940's the family briefly moved to Bend, Oregon, then relocated to San Miguel, Callifornia. While Glen's father worked at Camp Roberts Army Post, Glen sold newspapers to recruits, employees, and visiting USO entertainers. He was proud to have once received a one-dollar tip for a 5-cent newspaper from Red Skelton. Glen's photo is in the Camp Roberts Military Museum as a World War II paperboy. The family eventually moved into Paso Robles, where Glen completed his schooling, and was a star quarterback and basketball center for Paso Robles High School. It was in Paso Robles that Glen would meet his childhood sweetheart and eventual bride, Marian Joy Goodale. Glen attended Cal Poly, playing basketball and studying architecture. After two years he enlisted in the Army where he became an officer and a helicopter pilot. A year later he married Joy, and the next 20 years of their lives were spent travelling the world with the military. Glen was sent to Korea for a year with the 7 th Infantry Division in 1963. In September of 1967 he was ordered to Duc Pho, Vietnam for a year. During this time, he was promoted to Major and became Commander of the 174 th Assault Helicopter Company. This was a tumultuous time for the 174th, with action during the Tet Offensive and My Lai incident in 1968. During TET of '68, Glen's hootch (living quarters) took a direct hit by an 82 mm mortar. Damage was minimal and he was not injured, but the blast caused hearing problems for him, which later proved to be serious. During 1967-68, the 174th was the leading Army Aviation unit in country in total hours flown, aircraft availability rate, and missions flown, month after month. It also had the lowest accident-to-hours flown ratio and casualties-to-hours flown ratio, within the 1st Aviation Brigade. Pilots and crews were flying 180 hours in 20 days, resting for three (sometimes) and starting on the next 180. Glen's memories of Vietnam and photos are documented on the 174th Assault Helicopter Company's website. Three years after returning home, the family was relocated to Taipei, Taiwan for an exciting two years. Glen was promoted to Lt. Col. and became the Chief, Aviation Section, MAAG China, Taiwan. Upon return to the states, the family settled in Napa, California. Glen retired from the Army in 1974. Glen received many commendations during his service, mostly as a result of his service in Vietnam. These include: The Distinguished Flying Cross (for heroism while participating in aerial flight), the Bronze Star, also for heroism, the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with 16 oak clusters, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Master Army Aviator Wings, Nationalist Chinese Army Aviator Wings, and Distinguished Unit Ribbon (174 th AHC, Vietnam.) Glen's flight suit is on display at the Camp Roberts military museum. Glen was a talented photographer and artist. His abstract paintings have been on display in a variety of locations and have sold across the country. Glen was a true American hero and family leader. Mr. Gibson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marian Joy (Goodale) Gibson, his daughters, Teresa Ann (Gibson) Galli and Margo Marie (Gibson) Mosher, sister, Barbara (Gibson) Ryckebosch. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson Milton Gibson and Loyce E. Brock Gibson, his sister, Carolyn Gibson.
Burial information: Paso Robles District Cemetery, Paso robles, CA
This information was last updated 06/30/2019
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association